NORRISTOWN — Yet another tragedy of a life that ended far too soon will be remembered Sunday with “A Walk to Live in Memory of Megan Swan” 5k Run and Walk.

Last October, Megan Swan, a vivacious, 21-year-old Collegeville resident became one of the more than 38,000 people each year who take their own lives.

Like most people who commit suicide — according to contactcrisisline.org — Megan did not leave a note behind.

Her longtime friend Marissa Palonicola, who organized the walk, never saw the slightest signs in Megan’s behavior that her life would end this way — not during their days at Methacton High School or West Chester University, where Megan had transferred last fall.

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“That’s the scary part, and the main reason I wanted to spread awareness with this walk because, to this day I can’t look back and say, ‘Oh, I should have seen that,’ ” Palonicola said. “She never (gave an indication) that she would make a decision like that. It wasn’t in her nature. She never even mentioned that she was thinking these thoughts.”

Depression and anxiety aren’t exactly popular topics of discussion among those in Megan’s age group, noted Palonicola, who grew up in Eagleville and now lives in West Norriton.

“My age group is one of the best times of your life, but also one of the craziest, with all the pressures and decisions,” said the West Chester University senior.

“I feel that this happens so much more often than people realize and I want to get the word out there and honor her memory. There’s a stigma with talking about depression and anxiety, and even though Megan had so many people to talk to, I guess she didn’t feel like she could express how she felt. I’ve experienced it first hand with people I’ve known and I realized that people don’t like to talk about it, because it’s not a happy thing to talk about.”

Since partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention — beneficiaries of all proceeds raised by the walk — Palonicola admitted she’s more in tune with the fact that suicide is preventable if everyone would only realize how important it is to open up about their feelings.

“I have learned that when you talk about it you realize that so many more people can relate to you. I feel that a lot of people are ashamed to talk about it because they look at it as a negative thing. But talking about being depressed or anxious can save a life.”

Palonicola noted that Sunday’s walk will bring together those who knew Megan and those who never did know her but are all too aware of the ramifications of depression and suicide.

“We chose the Farm Park because that’s where Megan ran every day,” said Palonicola, who is hoping to set up a scholarship fund at West Chester University in Megan’s name.